Hi Jeff,
Even the Stax older models can sound fantastic if they are functioning properly. I have a pair of SR3s that sound wonderful as well as a pair of their more recent 404 Signatures (which are amazing!)
Don't use a receiver. While it would probably work, and sound okay, the Stax deserve the highest quality source and amplification you can feed them. They don't require high power/current, like speakers. A well-built amp capable of delivering 20 Wpc or more should work fine. I'd bet a decent tube integrated amp would be a great match. You cannot use a standard headphone output on your setup. It just is not designed to work that way.
I don't know if the small electrostatic fields that the Stax generate could cause any medical problems with long-term use but suspect the risk is minimal. It's certainly one I'm willing to take considering how great the phones sound. I don't think any long-term clinical studies have been conducted.
Another way to go would be to eschew the SRD 7 energizer, and look for a used Stax amp/driver unit. The solid-state models use class-A topology and can be found at good prices on the used market. The tube-amp models usually cost more, but sound amazing.
Check out the Stax website at: http://www.stax.co.jp/
If you go to the History page, you can see all the Stax phones, amps, and energizers, in chronologic order.
Happy Listening!
Even the Stax older models can sound fantastic if they are functioning properly. I have a pair of SR3s that sound wonderful as well as a pair of their more recent 404 Signatures (which are amazing!)
Don't use a receiver. While it would probably work, and sound okay, the Stax deserve the highest quality source and amplification you can feed them. They don't require high power/current, like speakers. A well-built amp capable of delivering 20 Wpc or more should work fine. I'd bet a decent tube integrated amp would be a great match. You cannot use a standard headphone output on your setup. It just is not designed to work that way.
I don't know if the small electrostatic fields that the Stax generate could cause any medical problems with long-term use but suspect the risk is minimal. It's certainly one I'm willing to take considering how great the phones sound. I don't think any long-term clinical studies have been conducted.
Another way to go would be to eschew the SRD 7 energizer, and look for a used Stax amp/driver unit. The solid-state models use class-A topology and can be found at good prices on the used market. The tube-amp models usually cost more, but sound amazing.
Check out the Stax website at: http://www.stax.co.jp/
If you go to the History page, you can see all the Stax phones, amps, and energizers, in chronologic order.
Happy Listening!